The King and Queen visit Skåne County — watch films here

The King and Queen on their way to Kullaberg Lighthouse. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/Scanpix

On Friday 5 April, The King and Queen visited Skåne County.

The King and Queen summarised the day as follows: "We have experienced Skåne in bright sunshine, with a varied programme that began by the sea and the cliffs of Kullaberg. It warmed our hearts to see so many people at Stortorget in Hässleholm and at Lund City Hall, and the positive atmosphere is something we will take away with us from our day in Skåne."

The King and Queen arrive in Malmö at the end of the day. Photo: royalcourt.se

Photo: royalcourt.se

17:15 Two young researchers — Lali Tchelidze from Georgia, who studied in the USA, and Nino Cutic from Croatia — spoke about what it is like coming to Lund as a researcher. They are now married, and have a child together.

17:00 James Yeck, CEO of the European Spallation Source (ESS), explained about the research facility, which already has 200 employees from 30 different countries. At ESS, neutrons are used to study how different materials are made up and how they work.

MAX IV is currently being built, and will be opened on 21 June 2016 at 12:00, the brightest time of the year.

Christoph Quitmann, CEO of MAX IV, spoke about MAX IV, which will be a world-leading synchrotron light facility. The facility is currently being built by 200 construction workers, and will be opened on 21 June 2016 at 12:00, the brightest time of the year. Find out more about MAX IV here. 16:55 Eva Dalman, Project Manager for Lund NE/Brunnshög, described the process of building a brand new urban environment from scratch. The district will act as a showcase for social innovation and IT. It will also be environmentally sustainable. There will be a visitor centre describing the research carried out in the area. 16:47 At Lund City Hall, The King and Queen were welcomed by Mats Helmfrid, Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board. He spoke about Lund and its history, including the fact that there was a town here two thousand years ago. He also spoke about Brunnshög, a brand new district that is currently being built. Here, people will live and work. The two major research facilities MAX IV and ESS are the hub of the new development.

16:40 The King and Queen arrived in Lund. 16:26 Margareta Pålsson, how did you plan the programme for the day? "We actually started with the town square speech — where would we hold it? I've been a politician in Skåne, so I know which squares are good for giving speeches and which are less good. We decided on Hässleholm, and asked if they wanted to be involved in The King's visit and put together activities based on his speech. They were delighted, and accepted without hesitation. The rest of the programme was based around Hässleholm. We also wanted to show the importance of nature and to visit an integration programme at Kullaberg. Kullaberg is also a good geographic location between Halmstad and Hässleholm. The views are fantastic, and clearly show the contrasts of Skåne. There are plains and beaches, as well as high cliffs and steep precipices. I wanted to show a university college. Kristianstad University is slightly different, because it has two catchment areas: regional and international. I think that makes for an exciting mix. This will soon be followed by Lund, where of course we'll visit ESS which is so big and important, both for the county and for Sweden as a whole. The day will end later on in Malmö, at the County Governor's official residence. I wanted to put together a varied programme, and I hope that's what The King and Queen feel they've experienced today." 15:41 Travelling towards Lund, the coach passes Vä and St Mary's Church, which was built in the mid-12th century. Today, all that remains of the town is the church and two ruins. The church features one of the world's best-preserved church murals, which dates from the late 1100s. A major restoration project to preserve the murals is currently underway, involving experts from Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The county administrative board is also involved, and will ultimately approve the renovation and restoration process.

The King and Queen at Kristianstad University. Photo: royalcourt.se

15:05 Assistant Professor of Water Conservation Jean O. Lacoursière spoke about students' work within circulation and water studies. They work together with a number of educational institutions and with water organisations, including in Laos and Vietnam. The university college carries out teacher exchanges with countries including China, Thailand and Brazil. Find out more about Kristianstad University here. 15:00 Professors of Nursing Anna-Karin Edberg and Albert Westergren explained how education, research and collaboration characterise everything the university college does. Nursing education was first carried out during the time of King Oscar II and Queen Sophia. Then, the focus was on practical teaching. Today, the education is based half on practice and half on theory.

The King and Queen with – among others – Vice-Chancellor Sanimir Resic at Kristianstad University. Photo: royalcourt.se

14:51 The King and Queen were welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Sanimir Resic. He spoke about the history of the university college, which now has 14,000 students and offers 40 programmes and 360 courses. He also spoke about the forthcoming state visit to Croatia, for which he will be a member of the delegation. 14:49 The King and Queen arrived at Kristianstad University. 14:16 Chairman of Kristianstad Municipal Council Sten Hermansson and Communications Director Eva Mårtensson welcomed The King and Queen as they travelled towards Kristianstad.

13:40 A musical voyage through 40 years. This included a performance of the song Dancing King and the world's biggest — and first — mobile concert featuring blackbird song.

The King gives a speech at Stortorget. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/Scanpix

13:36 The King gave his speech at Stortorget in Hässleholm. In his speech, The King said: "Skåne's location close to the Öresund Sound and the border with the rest of Europe offers excellent opportunities for the county to be a centre for research, commerce and tourism. I understand that the eleventh Europaforum opens this weekend here in Hässleholm. The aim of this forum is to discuss issues relating to Europe's development and how the distance between decision-makers and the inhabitants of Europe can be reduced."

13:32 Douglas Roth, Chairman of Hässleholm Municipal Council, spoke in his welcoming address about what had happened during The King's 40 years as Head of State, based on The King's motto. He also mentioned the Silvia School, which is situated in Hässleholm, and the fact that the King's Song was written nearby. 13:29 The King's Song was sung on Stortorget.

Stortorget. Photo: royalcourt.se

The people of Hässleholm start to gather on Stortorget to listen to The King's speech. Photo: royalcourt.se

13:14 County Governor Margareta Pålsson gave a speech of thanks after lunch. She spoke about how Skåne was divided into two counties forty years ago: Kristianstad County and Malmöhus County. The two counties were combined in 1997. Over the last forty years, the county has gained 300,000 new inhabitants. Lunch was served at Skåne's hub: Hässleholm! 12:20 Lunch was served at Hotell Statt Hässleholm.

The people of Hässleholm welcome The King and Queen. Photo: royalcourt.se

12:13 The King and Queen arrived in Hässleholm. 11:43 The coach passed Perstorp, which is famous for two things: vinegar and Perstorp laminate. 11:22 The journey continued towards the community of Kvidinge. County Governor Margareta Pålsson explained that here, on 28 May 1810, Crown Prince Karl August fell from a horse and died. King Karl XIII was his adoptive father. A new Crown Prince was found in France: Jean Baptiste Bernadotte. 11:18 Travelling towards Hässleholm, the coach passed the mining community of Nyvång. This is one of Skåne's ninety national interests. These are areas, places or individual objects that are protected and are deemed to be important from a national point of view.

The King studies the exhibition at Kullaberg Visitor Centre. Photo: royalcourt.se

Guide Gun tells The Queen about the different varieties of algae around Kullaberg. Photo: royalcourt.se

10:15 Daniel Åberg, site manager at Kullaberg, spoke about the exhibition at Kullaberg Visitor Centre, the centre's history and the work involved in the planned integration project. 10:04 At Kullaberg Visitor Centre, The King and Queen were welcomed by Director Paul-Eric Jönsson. He explained that Kullaberg was the first part of Sweden to emerge when the inland ice disappeared around 15,000 years ago. The first people came to Kullaberg 8,000 years ago, and ancient carvings remain to this day. The King's grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf, helped to ensure the protection of Kullaberg. Thanks to a major fundraising effort, the mountain was saved from becoming a quarry. Find out more about Kullaberg Nature Reserve here.

Kullen Lighthouse. Photo: royalcourt.se

09:51 The King and Queen arrived at Kullen Lighthouse, at Kullaberg Nature Reserve. The lighthouse is 450 years old, making it one of the oldest in Sweden. 09:43 The coach passed Brunnby and Brunnby Church, which dates from the early 13th century. 09:39 The coach passed Flickorna Lundgren. King Gustaf VI Adolf was a loyal customer of this café, owned by 91-year-old Ella Fejne, who has managed the café for 75 years. She is one of the sisters who originally founded the establishment.09:24 At Erikslund, Chairman of Höganäs Municipal Executive Board Peter Kovac joined the tour. He began by speaking about the history of Höganäs, and about how coal and clay have been so important to the municipality. 09:03 The coach crossed the county border and Margareta Pålsson welcomed those on board to Skåne County. Skåne is a large county, with 33 municipalities and a population of 1.2 million. Skåne is Sweden's second most densely populated county after Stockholm County. Half of its inhabitants live in the western part of the county around Malmö. The county has high levels of immigration, with half coming from elsewhere in Sweden and half from other countries, half of whom are Swedes returning home. In second place are Danes, followed by Iraqis. 08:58 The coach approached Hallandsås, and Margareta Pålsson explained about the tunnel being built through the ridge. Instead of four trains per hour, the tunnel will allow 24 trains per hour to pass through. This is particularly important for freight. Traffic is scheduled to begin in 2015. 08:46 Margareta Pålsson welcomed The King and Queen to the day in Skåne, and spoke about what had happened during the forty years since The King became Head of State. Diversity is a particularly important issue today. More than 170 different nationalities are represented in Skåne. This provides a unique energy, with a broad society and unique expertise for higher education.

The Queen is welcomed by County Governor Margareta Pålsson. Photo: royalcourt.se

08:31 County Governor of Halland Lars-Erik Lövdén handed over hosting duties to County Governor of Skåne Margareta Pålsson.

The programme for The King and Queen's visit on Friday 5 April

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08:30 County Governor of Halland Lars-Erik Lövdén hands over hosting duties to County Governor of Skåne Margareta Pålsson. 09:45 The King and Queen arrive at Kullaberg Visitor Centre, Mölle. 12:15 Lunch at Hotell Statt Hässleholm. 13:30 The King and Queen walk from Hotell Statt Hässleholm to Stortorget. The King gives a speech. 14:40 The King and Queen arrive at Kristianstad University. 16:25 The King and Queen arrive at Lund City Hall. The day in Skåne County concludes with dinner hosted by the County Governor at the County Governor's official residence on Stortorget in Malmö.

County visits 2013

In connection with The King's 40th jubilee, The King and Queen will be visiting all of Sweden's 21 counties during the year.